Research project Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): A study on Cognitive Load in Simultaneous and Dialogue Interpreting via video and interpreters' attitudes towards VRI in Sweden
The main aim of this project is to investigate interpreters' cognitive processes during remote interpreting via video (with a focus on cognitive load) as well as interpreters' attitudes towards remote interpreting.
Project description
The interest for remote interpreting via video (oral translation that occurs remotely with sound and image) has increased with the development of computer and communication technologies which have led it to be safer and more accessible. A competent remote interpreting system can potentially increase direct access to professional interpreters in a minority language, enhance the interpreting users' opportunities to easier book appointment, save unnecessary costs (e.g. waiting and travelling time), reduce the environmental footprint and, not the least, increase flexibility for interpreters in question.
Previous studies in remote interpreting have shown that interpreters' attitudes towards remote interpreting via video are much more positive when compared with remote interpreting via telephone. Nonetheless, interpreters' attitudes towards remote interpreting via video are still quite negative, and the causes reported are lack of control of the communicative situation, lack of technological training, lack of presence as well as uncertain working conditions. The studies in which interpreters' attitudes appear to be more positive are those related to conference interpreting where interpreters' working conditions are more regulated by international guidelines, and the remuneration are higher than public service interpreters. However, both public service interpreters (community interpreters) and conference interpreters do show signs of increased fatigue during remote interpreting via video.
The main aim of this project is to investigate interpreters' cognitive processes during remote interpreting via video (with a focus on cognitive load) as well as interpreters' attitudes towards remote interpreting. In order to do so, this project will investigate two groups of interpreters (conference and community interpreters) performing in a controlled, simulated interpreted encounter (roleplay). During the interpreting, the interpreters’ eye movements will be tracked and the roleplay will be video recorded. In addition, using the same categories of interpreters, interpreters' professional status in Sweden and Swedish interpreters’ attitudes towards remote interpreting before and during the COVID-19 pandemic will be investigated on a larger population. This project seeks to understand through these two methods how interpreters perceive their occupational status in Sweden and its relation to their attitudes towards remote interpreting. In the next step, this project will investigate whether a relationship can be established between cognitive load and self-perceived status and/or attitudes towards remote interpreting.
Project members
Project managers
Nereida Betancor Sánchez
Doktorand
Members
Magnus Dahnberg
Senior lecturer, director
Elisabet Tiselius
Docent
More about this project
This project has been presented in different formats at the following national and international conferences:
Poster
- Remote interpreting and interpreters’ professional status: the impact of COVID-19. First steps on the effect of professional status in VRI cognitive processes. 3rd International Conference on Translation, Interpreting & Cognition at Forlì Campus, University of Bologna (Italy) 2–5 November 2021.
Presentation
- Monitoring in video remote interpreting. SNÖ (Swedish Network for Translation and Interpreting Studies) Symposium 15th October 2020, Uppsala University (Sweden).
- Video remote interpreting (VRI) and interpreters’ professional status in Sweden: a survey about interpreters’ attitudes towards VRI, perceived professional status and the impact of COVID-19. SNÖ (Swedish Network for Translation and Interpreting Studies) Conference 8th October 2021, Stockholm University. (Sweden)
- The interpreter in Sweden: A Questionnaire Study on Professional Status and the Impact of COVID-19 in the interpreters’ Experience with and Attitude Towards Remote Interpreting. International Online Conference “Field Research on Translation and Interpreting: Practices, Processes, Networks (FIRE-TI) at University of Vienna (Austria) 18th February 2022.
Presentation in a panel
- The link between interpreters’ professional self-concept and cognitive performance. ASLA 2022 (The national symposium of ASLA, the Swedish Association for Applied Linguistics.) at Stockholm University (Sweden) 8th April 2022.